$650 bucks in your pocket. Which Auger??

[Hilgy]

So i have about $650 bucks to spend on an ice auger. Not sure which route to go. I'm not a hard core, out every spare minute guy but I do like to have quality gear that i can depend on.

I'm open to any fuel type and brand just dont have much experience with augers.

So let me know what route you would go and why, or if there is anything to stay away from.


thanks
Hilgy

[The Reel Deal]

go electric

[EZM]

Eskimo Z 71 ........... 10" blade - starts easy, cuts fast and easy.

[fishinmatt]

I'd look at the strike master 4 stroke. It has no where near the power that some of the other units have so it'll take a extra few seconds to cut the hole but it is very light and very easy to pull and start. Its also nice to fuel it up from the gas pump and to not worry about having a mixed gerry can in the back of the truck.

[happyfisher]

ion its on sale at cambodian tire...500 bucks

[wags]

ion its on sale at cambodian tire...500 bucks

My vote would be this as well. Perhaps an extra battery with your extended budget.

Cheers

[-JR-]

Eskimo z51 or z71 all the way
Starts in cold weather
First pull and it starts after storing all summer.

[bwackwabbit]

I have a fantastic Auger, bought for well under that budget. If I had to do it all over again I'd make the exact same decision...

Ion Hands Down!

[old dog]

Strike master 2 stroke. Cold weather starts no issue

[Hilgy]

So I don't know much about the Ion but like the idea and being on sale is a bonus. How long have they been on the market. Any body have a couple years on one? How are they holding up. As far as I can tell no option to go 10". Not a deal breaker but the ten would be nice.

I also have the z71 10" on my list.

[pickrel pat]

Buy my 8" hand auger and pocket the other 600.00 bucks. Way more benifits if you enjoy big arms, being more fit, and ladys oggling you with there eyes wishing to be your wife. Myself, I got sick of the constant female attention and bought a used gas auger. I like it. Alot. Strikemaster.

[coors04]

Buy my 8" hand auger and pocket the other 600.00 bucks. Way more benifits if you enjoy big arms, being more fit, and ladys oggling you with there eyes wishing to be your wife. Myself, I got sick of the constant female attention and bought a used gas auger. I like it. Alot. Strikemaster.



Lol I love the thought that went into this. I had a 4 inch hand auger and after spending what must have been 20 min and just making it through the ice I had a very nice older gentleman tell me I needed to fish another 20 feet out if I wanted to get anything. I stayed where I was cause I was to exhausted and got skunked. Now I own a jiffy 10inch. A few years old now and I hear the new ones aren't that great but I love mine. I don't maintain it at all and in a couple pulls she warms up for every time.

:sHa_shakeshout:

[SCHOOCH]

Eskimo Z71 is my next auger for sure !!!!!!!

[harrydude]

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=202138

[WayneChristie]

Eskimo Z71 is my next auger for sure !!!!!!!

with the large numbers of fish you catch, you could just pee on the ice and fish the wet spot and do just as well, save all that gas! :bad_boys_20:

[SCHOOCH]

with the large numbers of fish you catch, you could just pee on the ice and fish the wet spot and do just as well, save all that gas! :bad_boys_20:

Your lucky i like your wife or my next underwater camera will be the one thats attached to your forehead!!!!!! And stop telling all my ice fishing methods to the world......LOL

[FishHunterPro]

You Can have the top of the line strikemaster 4 stroke or strikemaster lazer pro 3hp 2 stroke. Can't go wrong with either !

[Fil_Can_Yakker]

NILS is light and reliable:sHa_shakeshout:

[bobalong]

So I don't know much about the Ion but like the idea and being on sale is a bonus. How long have they been on the market. Any body have a couple years on one? How are they holding up. As far as I can tell no option to go 10". Not a deal breaker but the ten would be nice.

I also have the z71 10" on my list.

My son had one last year, I liked it and it worked well. When my Jiffy (1997 )finally dies I am going to try one.

[1bluZebec]

Z71 all the way! It really rips. A REAL machine! I have a s33 stingray and its just fine but just no where near the auger the z71 is. The biggest and best

[Master_Baitcaster]

I picked up a ION this year,,, absolutely love it !!! thats my suggestion!! cuts holes like butter wow... and no messing around starting it. push a button and it goes.. LOVE My ION!!! :sHa_shakeshout:

[wellpastcold]

Buy my 8" hand auger and pocket the other 600.00 bucks. Way more benifits if you enjoy big arms, being more fit, and ladys oggling you with there eyes wishing to be your wife. Myself, I got sick of the constant female attention and bought a used gas auger. I like it. Alot. Strikemaster.

That is a classic! Lmao

[Hilgy]

Thanks guys. I'm going to have a look around and see what I can find in stock in red deer this weekend. I really like the idea of the Ion. I wonder how the battery life will be with always being out in the cold. I know I have killed a couple drill battery's leaving them out in the cold.

[bwackwabbit]

I'll be out fishin' the north end of Sylvan Saturday if you want to see one in action or try before you buy.

Cold is not an issue w/the Ion in my experience.

[Hilgy]

ion its on sale at cambodian tire...500 bucks

Where did you see the ion on sale. I was just on their site and I couldn't find a sale price. Not that it matters they don't show any stock in any of the stores in or near red deer.

Any body know anywhere else in the red deer area that would carry the ion??

[HuyFishin]

I prefer convenience, if you plan to walk on early in the seasons the ion would be super convenient, z71 is heavy :scared0015:

[happyfisher]

i saw in in a cambodian tire flyer about a week ago...i still have the flyer....but the sale expired on the 8th......

boooo

[Hilgy]

i saw in in a cambodian tire flyer about a week ago...i still have the flyer....but the sale expired on the 8th......

boooo

oh well its only $50 bucks if i go that route.

[rocketron]

ion its on sale at cambodian tire...500 bucks

And I allways thought it was Ukranian Tire. Go figure ha ha

[msk]

I'd go with whatever the latest and greatest Strikemaster is out there. Bought mine back in 1995 and she still cuts great. I think I've had it in the small engine shop once for a tuneup. Funny thing is I got it in the states for just around 200 at a Pamida store at the end of the season. Good investment!

[CanadianBadass]

Eskimo Z 71 ........... 10" blade - starts easy, cuts fast and easy.

^------------ Smart Man !

Yes for sure I would do the Z71 , I have one and love it. !

[AppleJax]

^------------ Smart Man !

Yes for sure I would do the Z71 , I have one and love it. !

Any progress on the pull start defect?

[huntsfurfish]

My vote would be this as well. Perhaps an extra battery with your extended budget.

Cheers

This^^^^

[huntsfurfish]

Any progress on the pull start defect?

lol

[rugatika]

I just picked up an Eskimo z51 at fishing hole for $100 off. Not sure how long the sale is on for.

[Hilgy]

well i was leaning towards the Ion but after a bit of searching i dont think i'll find one near red deer. none of the CT stores show any stock.

Is the difference between 8" and 10" enough to worry about???

[AppleJax]

well i was leaning towards the Ion but after a bit of searching i dont think i'll find one near red deer. none of the CT stores show any stock.

Is the difference between 8" and 10" enough to worry about???

Ask her.....

[EZM]

Any progress on the pull start defect?

I sent Eskimo an email describing the issue.

The Eskimo folks sending me a full spare coil and puller thingy assembly. Free of charge, overnight, no questions asked.

The one on the new unit just didn't retract smoothly and sometimes left a few inches of cord that I had to wiggle back in ......

but it seems ok now ......... it just happened a few times when it was out for it's maiden voyage ....

..might have just needed to be broken in and loosened up a little maybe?

I might have been pulling too hard - I noticed, last time out a short quick pull and she fires up in minus 30 - no problems.

I guess I was used to my snow blower which is a workout !!!!!! lol - it was probably just me .....

I guess I will have a spare coil thingy.

[EZM]

lol

Hey !!!!!! I thought we silenced you !!!!!! :)

Send some of those gullible southern Alberta humpy perch this way !!!!!!!!!! Lake X is running dry.

[EZM]

Ask her.....

I need a 10" hole to do my best work in comfort.

[mayuan]

I'd go with whatever the latest and greatest Strikemaster is out there. Bought mine back in 1995 and she still cuts great. I think I've had it in the small engine shop once for a tuneup. Funny thing is I got it in the states for just around 200 at a Pamida store at the end of the season. Good investment!

Bingo, I use the strikemaster lazermag 10 and it cuts great.

[adamscriver]

I have the rapala black ice 43 cc works great! Just enough power to get job done comes apart very easily for transport and here's the kicker 349 at bass pro for the 10 inch

[CanadianBadass]

I sent Eskimo an email describing the issue.

The Eskimo folks sending me a full spare coil and puller thingy assembly. Free of charge, overnight, no questions asked.

The one on the new unit just didn't retract smoothly and sometimes left a few inches of cord that I had to wiggle back in ......

but it seems ok now ......... it just happened a few times when it was out for it's maiden voyage ....

..might have just needed to be broken in and loosened up a little maybe?

I might have been pulling too hard - I noticed, last time out a short quick pull and she fires up in minus 30 - no problems.

I guess I was used to my snow blower which is a workout !!!!!! lol - it was probably just me .....

I guess I will have a spare coil thingy.

First off, It is not a defect, Just a ****ty Knot , And yes, Eskimo has sent my pc, it will be here on Monday, However, I have rigged it up to be useable for the time being !

But still the best out there

[CanadianBadass]

Hey !!!!!! I thought we silenced you !!!!!! :)

Send some of those gullible southern Alberta humpy perch this way !!!!!!!!!! Lake X is running dry.


Don't worry EZM, jealousy is a Bi@tch lol lol

[CanadianBadass]

I was looking at the Strike master with the New Honda Engine on it, Now that thing looks like a great investment, Anything with a Honda small engine has to be good !

Canadian Tire has some and they look nice , Never tried one, but want to now

[Lefty-Canuck]

Get a Tempest 43cc from Costco for $349....same thing as the Eskimo 43cc with Viper engine but green. Buy a 4 person 6X12 tent from costco with the other $300 bucks....Done deal!

LC

[raiderfan]

bass pro 300$

[Geezle]

and sometimes left a few inches of cord that I had to wiggle back in ......


:thinking-006::sHa_sarcasticlol:

[CanadianBadass]

:thinking-006::sha_sarcasticlol:



edit

[Hunter Hank]

i bought the Jiffy 4 pro propane 10" and it works great. One pull starts every time. I bought it at Cabela's for $489 on sale.:sHa_shakeshout:

[madatter]

First off, It is not a defect, Just a ****ty Knot , And yes, Eskimo has sent my pc, it will be here on Monday, However, I have rigged it up to be useable for the time being !

But still the best out there

Well motor wise maybe.....
I don't like their blades, they lose their edge way too easy on dirty ice.